Des, aka the solo outlet for multi-instrumentalist Mike Desmond, recently caught our attention with the bright electro-indie pop of their/his latest single, “Dying Breed.” Are you a fan of Grouplove, Capital Cities, or The 1975? Look no further – Des employs a rolling electro-bassline and neurotic electronic drums with his pleasant take on indie-rocker vocals… Check it out via the widget below. Be sure to drop Des a phat follow on Instagram.
Prepare your body… LA duo Wild & Free are here to get you moving and grooving with their perfectly-composed indie dance pop. Our personal favorite is “Trippin on You,” a subtle but deeply funky jam that mixes hush-hush vocals, funk bass, and tasteful synth work. Fans of Daft Punk or Classixx will dig this one a bunch. “Trippin on You” is all over the internet – select your preferred method of consumption via this link.
Brian Bradley is hot off of a string of midwest shows and is promoting his latest release pretty hard. “Halcyon 2050” bumped-and-grinded its way into our inbox and we’ve been hooked ever since… It’s clear the EP draws from classical, pop, and electronica influences – airy vocals lay over top powerful but smooth synth work. Fans of Passion Pit, Joywave, or the casual dubstep listener will definitely dig this one. “Halcyon 2050” would make a fantastic addition to your Spotify playlist.
Mt. Joy reached out to us with the powerful sentiment of their alt-folk anthem, “Silver Lining.” The song is about coping with the feelings of loss after losing friends to addiction. The heavy subject matter is touching and eloquently-delivered… And its hard to deny the powerful chorus of “But if it’s the drugs, the women, the wine, the weed.” Recommended for fans of Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe, or Noah and the Whale. Drop Mt. Joy a like on Instagram while you’re at it.
San Diego act Twin Ritual are an indie rock band specializing in frantic danceable tunes with a notable early-80s tinge – almost as if Heart and The Bravery had a child (figuratively speaking, of course). “Hand Through The Mist” is our personal recommendation – the spastic guitar playing is a true highlight, bolstered by fantastic vocals, dreamy vocals, and a rock-solid dance beat. You dig Twin Ritual? Bandcamp it up.
Get your Monday started off right with a funky pop-rock jam from Nashville act Pet Envy. “For Keeps” is truly the goodest-of-times, full of disco-influenced bass lines, flashy synth lines, choppy funk guitar, and a fun vocal melody. We’re especially digging their unique combination of r&b, pop, funk, and indie-pop sentiment. Peep their Bandcamp if you’re feeling the good vibes.
Rochester-born singer/songwriter Madeleine McQueen specializes in upbeat pop rock, notably evident in her latest single “Wildfire.” About the song, Madeline says, “I wrote “Wildfire” when I was drunk one night and being a bitch. It’s pretty upbeat and catchy with some deeper and darker lyrics to contrast that.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves – recommended to fans of Florence & The Machine, Feist, or Ingrid Michaelson. If you like what you hear, add “Wildfire” to your Spotify playlist.
Tesse is the collaborative project of Sydney-based songwriter Tom Stephens… His songs are brooding alt-folk compositions, centered around acoustic guitar riffs and peppered with flavors of baritone guitar and piano. “I’ll Tell You In The Morning” is the first offering from his yet-to-be-released debut; it explores the complexities and monotony of an unstable relationship. Stay up to date with Tesse’s happenings via their Instagram.
Seattle-based trio Spirit Award specialize in dark post-punk with a new wave flavor, especially evident on their newest offering, “Diving.” “Diving” has its roots in some dark happenings and is based around the omnipresent stresses of every day life… According to Spirit Award, “It’s comforting to me knowing that someone shares my same struggles, and we can share in that difficulty together and try and move past it.” Click play on the widget below and let the driving bass line and siren-esque guitars take you away. “Diving” is being offered up on Bandcamp.
Sydney Australia is home to indie-pop ADKOB, who are hot from the release of their latest (and catchiest) song, “Giraffe.” Their music video is a montage of the band at work, classic, yet effective… But we were especially hooked in by its rolling drumbeat and synth-tinged indie-pop sentimentality which is reminiscent of Foals or Bastille. Not to mention the true earworm of “Fuck me up inside again.” We’ve conveniently embedded their music video below – smash that play button if you know what’s good for ya.
We’re pleased to share a brand new band from Ithaca with y’all – Lazy Bones is here with a sparkling new single in the form of “Take It Back.” Their brand of low-key indie rock falls somewhere between the slacker vibe of Mac Demarco and the chorus-laden dream pop of a band like Turnover… Give it a listen below. “Take It Back” is available via Bandcamp for a “name your price” option… You know what to do. Take It Back by Lazy Bones
Bruiser and Bicycle are something else to say the least… The Albany quartet has just released an other-wordly EP, aptly titled You’re All Invited… Maybe it’s because it was released on Halloween, but they self-describe YAI as “spooky.” While they’re certainly right, they are just-as-certainly not a scary, one-trick-pony. Their particular brand of indie rock sounds delicate, almost as if it’s ready to fall apart at any turn… and yet it’s obvious how carefully crafted this EP is. It’s an eerie adventure through five songs, a journey that guides the listener through multiple twists and turns as they careen through the unpredictable course of this sprawling EP. “Trading Paint for Kisses” is an explosion of an opener – immediately, the listener is hit with a wall of noise-rock, chock-full of roaring fuzz tones and near-atonal guitar screeching. The band meanders constantly; first, a bouncy riff that would please any 90’s emo enthusiast. They casually[...]
Electro-pop demigod Chris Glover (aka Penguin Prison) has penned our latest late-night anthem, “Turn It Up.” Glover’s distinctly soulful croon drives this track which is peppered with jubilant bass lines, electric guitar flourishes, and a strong electronic background. Recommended for fans of Bleachers, Fun., or Capital Cities. “Turn It Up” is available online in many different forms – see them all here.
Pure Mids is a SoCo trio whose “Maybe It’s Alright” caught our ears for its hooky, shoegazy sentiment. Reminiscent of The Depreciation Guild or Slowdive with a hint of The Killers, “Maybe It’s Alright” combines frantic drumming with lush synth pads and plucky guitar melodies. Get intimate with the widget below and listen for yourself. Pure Mids’ discography is available via Bandcamp… You know what to do.
Veda Rays are a bunch of Brooklyn dudes creating smart and succinct indie rock with elements of dream pop and post-punk. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Interpol, The Neighbourhood, and The Killers, “False Coloured Eyes” is a fun jam full of precise guitar riffs, calculated beats, and singer Jim Stark’s distinct baritone. About the song, Veda Rays says, “the song is about examining the images, ideas and motives that shape consensus, mold identities, and inform our narratives.” Deep! Learn more about Veda Rays via their website.